Around 500 Yorkshire Water staff are to be brought together under one roof at an office in Leeds in what is believed to be the city’s biggest letting deal so far this year.

The Bradford-based water company has taken 55,000 sq ft of space at Livingstone House at Clarence Dock to house its newly-created asset delivery department.

The office space, which Yorkshire Water will occupy from February, will house staff and contract partner employees.

Department head Charlie Haysom said: “Yorkshire Water is a major investor in the region and this move is another example of how the company continues to benefit local economies.

“Our new location will enable us to strengthen relationships with our working partners by bringing them all together under one roof alongside our own colleagues.

“This collaborative approach will help us to focus more than ever on delivering the challenging programme of investment we have planned over the next five years, to ensure that we continue to offer our customers the very best level of service at the lowest possible price.”

The decision to invest in Leeds city centre follows confirmation from water regulator Ofwat that the company will be allowed to invest a further £1.9 billion in infrastructure improvements over the next five years, including fighting flooding and improving bathing water quality.

Yorkshire Water will occupy four of the building’s six floors, with a cafe planned for the ground floor.

Yorkshire Water operates out of a number of sites across the region.